Department of Islamic Studies in English Holds Preparatory Meeting
As part of its preparations for the start of the second semester, the Department of Islamic Studies in English, affiliated with the College of Islamic Studies at the Islamic University of Minnesota - Main Center, held a preparatory meeting on Thursday, November 6, 2025, under the chairmanship of Dr. Manal Mostafa, Head of the Department, with the participation of all faculty members. The meeting took place in an atmosphere reflecting discipline, professionalism, and a shared commitment to enhancing academic performance.
At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Manal Mostafa expressed her satisfaction with the progress of the educational process within the department, describing it as “smooth and distinguished,” emphasizing that this success is the result of careful and proactive preparations for the upcoming semester.
During the meeting, Dr. Mostafa stressed the importance of a strong and well-organized start to the new semester, urging faculty members to maintain full attendance and to implement all academic and preparatory directives according to the highest standards of academic excellence, in line with the department’s vision of strengthening its scholarly identity and enhancing the quality of its English-language Islamic Studies programs.
The meeting also addressed several key academic and instructional topics, including the division of the course material into 12 weeks with full lectures delivered in each session (one hour per class), the announcement of course outlines and references in the first week, and the exclusive use of English in all classrooms to develop students’ proficiency in Islamic terminology in a globally recognized language.
Dr. Mostafa emphasized that each instructor is solely responsible for delivering their course content, and any delegation of this responsibility will not be accepted.
Regarding assignments and assessments, the department agreed that all assignments are to be announced after the third week of classes, exclusively in English, and must be posted clearly in the course group and the academic portal with assigned grades and submission deadlines. It was also stressed that grades and assignments are only considered official when submitted through the academic portal, and that alternative methods such as private messages or social media apps will not be recognized as formal communication.
The meeting further discussed exam preparation guidelines in line with the approved learning outcomes, requiring all exams to be reviewed by the Head of the Department before publication, and underscored the importance of timely grading and accurate entry of marks in electronic files to ensure fairness and transparency. Faculty members were also encouraged to enhance their technical skills in managing lectures via Zoom and uploading course materials and assignments through digital systems, while maintaining stable internet connections during live sessions to avoid any disruptions to the learning process.
On the topic of academic communication, Dr. Mostafa emphasized that responding promptly to students’ and the department secretary’s inquiries is both a professional and ethical duty, forming a key component of the department’s commitment to effective communication and educational excellence.
The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation that all issued directives are mandatory starting this semester, as part of the department’s comprehensive plan to improve academic performance and learning environments in accordance with international best practices.
In her closing remarks, Dr. Manal Mostafa expressed her appreciation for the dedication and efforts of the faculty members, wishing them a successful and productive semester filled with academic achievement and distinction.
